Method and apparatus for coordinating measuring operations



Sept. 22, 1964 F. DE BUIGNE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COORDINATING MEASURING OPERATIONS Original Filed March 31. 1958 14 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 22, 1964 F. DE BUIGNE v 3,149,722

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COORDINATTNG MEAsuRING OPERATIONS BY FPA/wr De Ewa/ve rlzl EL zum 251 H' 249 1405 am. vINVEN TOR.

Sept. 22, 1964 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COORDINATING MEASURING OPERATIONS F. DE BUIGNE 3,149,722

Original Filed March 3l, 1958 14 -Sheets-Sheet 5 @Auna 111- su GAUGE OUT 5 2.4

TmER 405,406,4oe, 41o

GAUGE slueucl 422.415,@1 au. w

S-so 52,414, 51e, 551194 CqAuQE -Ricalzb 7.52, 4oz.

417, 419,4?11, soa, 5 1 o, 51a

5 a 1,sg s,sas,aoz,ao7

JNVENToR. FRANK DE Hula/11! Sept. 22,

F. Dg BUIGNE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COORDINATING MESASURING OPERATIONS MR 'F210 14 Sheets-Shefet 4 |07, 415, 41a, 4.212 .5c-l, 514, 6?-

5o1, am, qos

55a, aos

loe, 55o, 554,435, aos, 55m

Sept. Z2, 1964 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COORDINATING MEASURING OPERATIONS Original Filed March 3l, 1958 F. DE BUIGNE 14 Sheets-Sheet` 5 s-sa 3a, gg

s a7 59,251, ma

INVENTOR. 15m@ FRANK D5 Ewa/Vf Sept. 22, 1964 F. DE BUIGNE 3,149,722

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COORDINATING MEASURING OPERATIONS Original Filed March 51,1958 14 Sheets-Sheet 6 GUAGE STATION FWD.

DOWN

5H UTTLE OUT N VEN TOR FRANK DE 5am/E Afrox/VWS Sept. 22, 1964 F. DE BUIGNE 3,149,722

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COORDINATING MEASURING OPERATIONS Original Filed March 31, 1958 l 14 Sheets-Sheet '7 SCALE DEVlCE Ji l5 v SELECTOR /N VE N TOR FRANK DEBu//vf Kam 5m/DAN 4 TTRNEVS 11.5 @X -El #-55 X IW Sept. 22, 1964 F. DE BUIGNE 3,149,722

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COORDINATING MEASURING OPERATIONS Original Filed March 31, 1958 14 Sheets-Sheet 8 /NvE/v ron FRANK BeBa/@NE #om HHM/DAN" Sept. 22, 1964 F. DE BUIGNE 3,149,722

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR cooRnmATrNc MEASURING OPERATIONS /N VENTOR FRANK De 50m/vf K0 r' a 5MP/Dm 4 TTORNEVS Sept. 22, 1964 F. DE BUIGNE 3,149,722

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR cooRDINA'rING MEASURING OPERATIONS Original Filed March 3l, 1958 14 Sheets-Sheet. 11

E'-al. E

BIZ.

/V VEN TOR FRA NK D5 5am/5 4 TTORNEVS 3,149,722 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COORDINATING MEASURING OPERATIONS Original Filed March 31, 1958 Sept. 22, 1964 F. DE BUIGNE 14 Sheets-Sheet 12 lcE-...LE

zn 2251 22s' "7 am Zig /N veu Tor/2 FRANK DE 19a/@ME #o U5 5f/ffm# sept. 22, 1964 F. DE BUIGNE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COORDINATING MEASURING'OPERATIONS Original Filed March 31. 1958 14 Sheets-Sheet 13 mlwmuamlf Sept. 22, 1964 F. DE BUIGNE 3,149,722

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR cooRDrNATING MEASURING OPERATIONS Original Filed March 51.l 1958 14 Sheets-Sheet 14 A ELE-...LE

f SZ?.

United States Patent O 3,149,722 METHGD AND APPARATUS FUR CGGRDINATING MEASURING GPERAIEGNS Frank lille Euigne, Birmingham, Mich., assigner te La Seite Machine Tool, line., Detroit, Mich. tContinuatien of application Een'. No. '725,t1i7, Mar. 31, 1953. This appiication Mar. 28, 1%2, Ser. No. 193,347 13 fill-aims. (Cl. 2619-75) This application is a continuation of my co-pending application Serial Number 725,087, led March 31, 1958, and relates to new and useful improvements in automation equipment and more particularly to an improved method for expediting the gauging, weighing and selection of precision automobile pistons in several simultaneous steps.

In the manufacture of precision automobile pistons it is necessary to very accurately control the dimensional size and weight tolerance of each piston fabricated. It is necessary therefore, to gauge, weigh and select meticulously each piston which is manufactured.

It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide a new and more accurate method of rapidly gauging, weighing and selecting precision automobile pistons which incorporates maximum production efiiciency and minimum material and time waste.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a gauging device which will automatically record and establish a program for a weighing device at a successive Work station, with the weighing device establishing and controlling the weight tolerance of any given automobile piston with respect to its gauged size.

Still another object of this invention will be provision of a gauging and Weighing device which will automatically reject any piston which does not fall within a pre-determined critical size or Weight tolerance.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an apparatus which will provide a highly eicient method of manufacturing precision automobile pistons which have a pre-determined diametral size and weight tolerance, with the apparatus being of relatively simple construction and design.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of an automation machine, wherein a group of independent elements comprise the complete machine to carry out the entire manufacturing process, while any of various elements could be used separately as independent inspection devices.

The foregoing and related objects can be accomplished by the provision of a shuttle device which will operate r to automatically engage and transfer independent pistons, one located at each of several work stations; move each of said pistons vertically up, horizontally forward and then vertically down in timed sequence, thereby advancing the piston to the next work station and depositing same thereon, with the shuttle expanding to release said piston and then returning to the original starting position, ready for another cycle; at the several work stations, the independent pistons are gauged at one station, weighed at another and accepted or rejected at still another, each step of the operation being completed simultaneously; and an electric control circuit means cooperable with said shuttle device for selectively reciprocating said shuttle device in the predetermined cycle.

BMEZ

Patented Sept. 22., 1964 ice Other objects of this invention Will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this speciiication, wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

In the drawings:

FIGURES 1-5 are fragmentary schematic views, which when joined comprise the complete control means for the electric circuit.

FIGURES 6 and 7 are fragmentary schematic views which when joined comprise the complete hydraulic control means.

FIGURE 8 is a plan View of the air gauge used in the present invention.

FIGURE 9 is an end elevation of the air gauge shown in FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 10 is a front elevation view of the scale device.

FIGURE 1l is a side view of the scales shown in FIGURE 10, partly broken away for clarity.

FIGURE l2 is a rear elevation of the scale device shown in FIGURE 10.

FIGURE 13 is a front elevation view of the scale compensator.

FIGURE 14 is a side View of the scale compensator shown in FIGURE 13.

FIGURE l5 is a plan view of the scale compensator shown in FIGURE 13.

FIGURE 16 is a View of the settle cylinder and control means.

FIGURE 17 is a partial side view of the settle cylinder controls shown in FIGURE 16.

Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not limitation.

As previously stated, the present mechanism is used in connection with the manufacture of precision automobile pistons, wherein the complete manufacturing op eration is carried out automatically in a single machine. The automobile piston being worked on is carried by a hydraulically actuated reciprocating shuttle mechanism, the complete mechanism being illustrated in my Patent Number 2,818,963, filed October 14, 19.57. The shuttle mechanism advances the piston, (1) rst to the gauge station, where an automatic gauging operation takes place. During the gauging operation, several electrical controls are energized, as well as several hydraulic cylinders. This in turn establishes a program for the scale device located at the next successive work station.

The shuttle bars are again activated to advance the piston to the (2) weighing station. To accomplish this, the shuttle bars move (from the starting position of back, up and out) (A) vertically down, (B) then in toward each other to engage the piston, (C) vertically up, with the piston, (D) horizontally forward to a position above the next work station, (E) then vertically down to deposit the piston when the shuttle bars (F) move out, (G) vertically up, and (H) horizontally back to the original start position, ready for another cycle. The program for the weighing station having been established during the gauging operation.

After the piston has been weighed, the shuttle bars are again activated and move vertically down and then toward each other to clamp the piston therebetween. The shuttle bars then are moved vertically upward with the piston, and then horizontally forward to a position above (3) the selector station, where an electrical memory circuit operates an arm to either accept or reject the piston.

Each piston is kept under constant control during each step of the work cycle, the several operations being synchronized by an electrical system made up of limit switches, relays, relay contacts and solenoids, which are energized in accordance with the position of the shuttle bars, hydraulic cylinders and the weight and size of each of the various pistons handled during the work cycle.

In order that a complete understanding of the mechanism involved may be readily understood, the schematic diagram of the electrical system and hydraulic system will be described irst. Circuit lines and 12 are common to all figures of the electrical schematic diagram and provide the source of power for the operation of the entire machine. Hydraulic line 11 is common to each of the schematic portions of the hydraulic system and it provides the hydraulic fluid for operation of the complete fluid system. Discharge hydraulic luid empties into a common reservoir or sump 13.

Referring to the drawings:

It will be noted that in each respective line of the circuit diagram, all contacts energized or dcenergized, as the case may be, is indicated on the right Side of the drawing, for example: In line 144, when CR-98 is energized, contacts in lines 1114, 119, 464, 4j, and 611 are energized. Throughout the drawings (FIGURES 1-5), the relay contacts which are normally closed are underlined for casier recognition, the other relay contacts are normally open.

When limit switch 1404LS in line 275 is held closed, along with limit switch 1406148 in line 27'7 and limit switch 1408LS in line 279, as shown in FIGURE 1 of the drawings, control relays ICR, SCR, SCR, IICR and 14CR are energized, as are solenoids S39 and S42. This positions the shuttle bars in the start position.

(For purposes of clarity and understanding, at the end of each of the shuttle movements, the circuits which have been opened and closed will be identied. In certain instances, although the circuit is de-energized, it will appear that the circuit should be energized to obtain the motion desired. For this reason, it must be understood that when any of the solenoids S39 through S44 are energized, the Valve which it controls will be positioned and will stay in that position until the valve is re-positioned through the action of the solenoid adjacent thereto.)

Shuttle, Back, Up and Out (Start Position) When the automatic cycle push button 13B-12, located in line 110 of FIGURE 1 is closed, control relay IttICR is caused to be energized, closing relay contacts IitiCR in lines 41, 111, 238, 240, 242, 244, 246 and 248 in FIGURE 2, 4132, 403 and 405 in FIGURE 3, 523, 524 and 526 in FIGURE 4 and 609, 610 and 613 and 616 in FIGURE 5, while the normally closed relay contacts IGIBCR in line 36, FIGURE l, 239, 241, 243, 245 and 247 in FIGURE 2, 4111 in FIGURE 3 and 525 in FIGURE 4 are opened. Limit switch 1404LS is held closed energizing control relay ICR. Relay contacts ICR in lines 239 and 242 inFIGURE 2, 423 in FIG- URE 3 and 515 in FIGURE 4 are closed. Limit switch 1406LS is held closed energizing control relay BCR.

Relay contacts SCR in lines 238 and 246 in FIGURE 2, 402 in FIGURE 3, 522 and 525 in FIGURE 4 and 605 and 610 in FIGURE 5 are also closed. In addition, limit switch 1403LS is held closed and control relay SCR is energized. Relay contacts SCR in lines 238, 239 and 243 in FIGURE 2, 402 in FIGURE 3 and 526, 6115 and 61@ in FIGURES 4 and 5 are closed. Thus, the circuits in lines 238 and 244 are closed, energizing control relays IICR and 14CR. With these circuits complete, relay contact 11CR in line 41 energizes solenoid S39 and opens the normally closed relay contact IICR in line 246. Relay contact 14CR in line 44 is closed energizing solenoid S42, while relay contact 14CR in line 244A closes. Hydraulic shuttle cylinders E, F and G are now positioned as follows: piston E is back, limit switch 144LS closed, piston F is up, limit switch 1406LS closed, and piston G is out, limit switch I408LS is closed. Hydraulic gauge cylinder piston L is back, limit switch IIIIZLS closed, maintaining the gauges out. The settle cylinder piston I is up, with limit switch IZQILS closed, scale device mid-position with limit switches 1203LS and 1204LS open, selector back, limit switch ISIPZLS closed, the unloader out, limit switch 1402LS closed.

(Circuits Closed- ICR, 275-3CR, 277-5CR, 279-11CR, 238-14CR, 244) Shuttle, Back, Down, and Out As the cycle continues, limit switch 14I6LS opens to de-energize control relays SCR in line 275, 11CR in line 238 and 14CR in line 244. When this occurs, control relay 12CR in line 240 is energized and relay contact 12CR in line 43 energizes solenoid S41. The circuit in line 233 is complete through relay contacts 1CR, and SCR, then through line 240 with relay contacts ZICR, litCR, ZCR and ZZCR. Solenoid S41 in line 43 is energized, while relay contacts 12CR in line 515 closes and 12CR in line 244 opens, thereby de-energizing control relay 14CR. Gauge limit switch 110218 in line 25u is held closed, settle cylinder I limit switch IZQIILS (FIGURE 7) and in line 527 of FIGURE 4 is held closed, energizing control relay 126CR in line 527 and closes relay contacts IZIMCR in line 256, opening relay contact IZCR in line 528. In line 526, selector limit switch 13tl2LS is held closed, energizing control relay 134CR and operation relay contacts 1304CR in line 250. Unloader limit switch 142LS is held closed, energizing control relay 14d/ICR in line 616 to close relay contacts I44CR in lines 25@ and 614, ener- -gizing control relay MCR. Latch control relay 1205CRL in line 524 is closed, energizing solenoid S25 in line 27, opening contact 12ti5CRL in line 2S, closing contact 1205CRL in line 251. Previous closing of contact I4ti3CRL in'line 614 operates to close control relay 142CR in line 612, energizing solenoid S37 in line 39, closing relay contacts 14412CR in lines 251 and 61@ respectively and thus energize control relay ZICR. The circuit through line 252 is closed through latch control relays IIZICRL and 1213CRL in lines 421A and 536 and are energized with the closing of time delay contact 112TD3 in line 421A and time delay relay IZGSTD in line 536, thereby energizing control relay 22CR. As solenoid S41 is energized, hydraulic valve M in FIG- URE 6 is activated to permit cylinder piston F to move the shuttle down. This causes limit switch 1406LS in line 277 of FIGURE 1 to open, de-energizing control relays SCR, IICR in line 238 and 14CR in line 245, opening relay contacts SCR in lines 238, 246 in FIG- URE 2, 402 in FIGURE 3, 522 and 525 in FIGURE 4 and 605 and 614 in FIGURE 5. Control relay 14CR in line 244 being de-energized with the opening of relay Contact 12CR therein. When cylinder piston F reaches the limit of downward travel, limit switch 14ii5LS in line 278 closes energizing control relay 4CR. The circuit closed, relay contacts 4CR in lines 242, 248 of FIG- URE 2, 422, 423 and 425 in FIGURE 3, 538 in FIG- URE 4 and 615 in FIGURE 5 are all actuated.

(Circuits Closed- TCR, 275-4CR, 27g-SCR, 279-2CR, 244) (De-Energized-3CR, 277-MCR, 238-14CR, 244) Shuttle, Back, Down and In With the circuit in lines 278, 279 and 2S@ complete and relays IlCR, 4CR and @CR energized, the circuit in line 242 is complete and control relay TSCR is energized. This energizes solenoid S43 in line 45 to opererate hydraulic valve C and retract shuttle piston G. As the shuttle piston G moves down, limit switch MSLS in line 279 opens, de-energizing control relay SCR. This in turn opens relay Contact SCR in line 239 to de-energize control relay l2CR in line 240. When shuttle piston G reaches the bottom of the stroke, limit switch 1407LS in line 23) is held closed and relay dCR is energized. Relay Contact SCR in line 239 opens to de-energize control relay MCR in line 240.

(Circuits Closed- TCR, 27S-4CR, 278-5CR, 28d-BCR, 245) (De-Energized-SCR, 279-12CR, 240) Shuttle, Back, Up and In The circuit is now complete in line 244 to energize control relay MCR, closing the circuit in line 244A and 45, thereafter energizing solenoid S42. When solenoid S42 in line 45 is energized, hydraulic valve M is activated and shuttle piston F moves up. This opens limit switch liti-@SLS in line 278, de-energizing control relay 4CR and MCR in line 242. At the end of the stroke, limit switch ll4t6LS is held closed, thereby energizing control relay 3CR in line 277.

(Circuits Closed TCR, 27-3CR, ZTI-15CR, 25m-MCR, 244) (De-Energized-4CR, 278-13CR, 242) Shuttle, Forward, Up and In The circuit in line 24o is now complete, control relays SCR and @CR having been previously activated, solenoid S40 in line 42 is energized. When solenoid S40 is energized, hydraulic valve B is activated and shuttle piston E causes the shuttle to move forward. Limit switch 14tl4LS in line 27S opens, de-energizing control relays ICR and MCR in line 244. At the end of the stroke, limit switch 1403148 in line 276 closes, energizing control relay 2CR. Limit switches 1406LS and ll4ti'7LS remaining closed, thereby maintaining control relays SCR and @CR in lines 277 and 2S@ energized, This closes the circuit in lines 244 and 246 to energize control relay 15CR and solenoid S44) in line 42.

(Circuits Closed- ZCR, 27o-SCR, 277-6CR, 2tl-il5CR, 246) (De-Energized-llCR, 27S-14CR, 244) Shuttle, In, Forward and Down The circuit is complete in line 244 in the manner previously described in connection with the shuttle back, down and out. Control relay 12CR having been energized, control relay contact 12CR in line 244 opens, deenergizing control relay MCR. Solenoid S41 is again energized in line 43, causing limit switch MMLS in line 277 to open, dc-energizing control relay 3CR as the shuttle piston F moves down. At the bottom of the stroke, limit switch iL-idLS is closed, energizing control relay 4CR in line 278. Control relays TSCR and 15CR now cle-energized have previously positioned pistons E and G.

(Circuits Closed- ZCR, 276-4CR, 27d-(MCR, 28h-HCR, 240) (De-Energized--3CR, 27d-15CR, 24d) Shuttle, Forward, Down and Out The circuit is now complete in line 248, relay contacts ZCR and 4CR being closed and control relay MCR is energized. This closes the circuit in line 4d energizing solenoid S44. This solenoid operates hydraulic valve O which causes shuttle piston G to move out, opening limit switch lift-WLS in line 284i. This de-energizes control relay tECR and its respective relay contacts. When shuttle piston G is fully out, limit switch T408LS in line 279 is closed and control relay SCR is energized. Control relays TZCR and TSCR having been previously energized, maintain hydraulic cylinders E and F forward and down.

(Circuits Closed- ZCR, 276-4CR, 27d-SCR, 279-T6CR, 24S) (De-Energized dCR, 23ti-l2CR-246) Shuttle, Ont, Up and Forward The circuit is now complete in lines 243 and 244 to energize control relay 14CR, thereby opening limit switch 141651,91 in line 278 and de-energizing control relay 4CR and closing limit switch lili-MLS to energize control relay SCR. Relay MCR energizes solenoid S42 to operate hydraulic valve M and cylinder piston F which moves the shuttle up and down.

Circuits Closed- 2CR, 27o-SCR, 277-5CR, 279-14CR, 244) (De-Energized--fiCR, 278-l16CR, 24S) De-energization of control relays ZCR, 276, 14CR, 244, MCR, 24d, MCR, 24S and energization of relay contacts ECR and ECR in line 238, through the closing of same now energizes control relay lllCR and the shuttle returns to the start position. Thus, the shuttle starts from the back, up and out position and moves rst down, then in, up, forward, down, out, up then in and back to the original position.

As previously mentioned, the circuits opened and closed during each of the shuttle movements is outlined at the bottom of each paragraph. This readily illustrates the circuits operated to obtain and maintain the proper positioning of the respective components and hydraulic valves.

Gange Station With limit switch 140315 in line 27o and limit switch MthSLS in line 277 and limit switch 14081148 in line 279 closed, control relays 2CR, SCR and ECR are energized and the circuit in line 4452 energizes latch control relay ltiCRL. This in turn closes relay contact lltilCRL in line 25 to energize solenoid S23, which in turn actuates gauge hydraulic valve K (FIGURE 6). This causes hydraulic cylinder piston L (FIGURES 6 and 8) to move forward with an air gauge. The air gauge and its mechanical operation is more fully described in connection with FIGURE 8 of the drawings. The forward movement of hydraulic cylinder piston L opens limit switch lllltiZLS in line 25@ and closes limit switch llldlLS in line 4G35. The normally closed relay Contact lltllCRL in line 2o is now open and solenoid S24 is cle-energized as is relay contact lllliillCRL in line 251.

The latch control relays are mechanically latched to hold their respective contacts in either their open or closed position, thereby providing a safety factor in the event of a power failure, since no interruption of the machine function will occur.

When the limit switch TTMLS in line 40S is closed, the multiilex timer TMZTD in the same line is energized. However, if the control relay i2tllCR in line ST5, which indicates and adjusts the scale program is not properly set for the part on the scale platform, the relay contact l2ttlCR in line 44S will open and the timer will not start. Should control relay tifs-TCR in line 6434 or control relay TIitiZCR in line 695 not have been de-energized, the system likewise will not function. As limit switch llttMLS in line 43S is closed, the multiex timer 11.@2TD is energized. This closes the normally open relay contacts MZTD in lines 463, 44o, 4459 and 4MB. Relay contacts llllilZTDl in line 4% closes one-half second after the closing of time delay llltlZTD in line 405 andremains closed for two and one-half seconds. When this occurs, control relays 117CR through lllllZCR may be energized, depending on the gauged diameter of the piston.

Before the gauge measurement of the piston is made, the .time delay device permits the air gauge to settle, thereby eliminating any possibility of error. Assuming that the piston is within permissible limits, neither undersize or oversize, but .O09 larger than the minimum permissible gauge tolerance, control relay llltWCR in line 406 will be energized. As the piston contacts the air gauge, switch D1 is closed, which in turn closes the relay contacts lltiCR in lines 407 and 4H, while opening relay contacts 1107CR in line 4N. The first stage circuit is now complete. In the second stage, air gauge switch D2 opens and control relay 1108 in line 469A is de-energized. Relay contacts llltlSCR in lines 407 and 413 remain closed, while the normally open relay contact Mtl/SCR in line 4M remains open. In the third stage, control relay lltlQCR is energized with the closing of air gauge switch D3, which in turn closes the normally open relay contacts 11.@9CR in lines 4% and 415, While the normally closed relay contact MMCR in line 413 opens. In the fourth stage, air gauge switch D4 opens and control relay MMCR in line 407A is de-energized. The normally closed relay contacts llltlCR in lines 4495 and 43W remain closed, while the normally open relay contacts lllllltlCR in line 415 remains open. In the fth stage, air gauge switch D5 is closed, and control relay lllCR is energized. This in turn closes the normally open relay contacts llllCR in line 419 and opens the normally closed relay contacts lllltCR in line 417.

Since the assumption is that the part is .009 larger than the minimum, but not oversize, air gauge switch D6 on line MESA will remain closed and control relay llllZCR will be energized. This in turn closes the normally open relay contact IHZCR in line 419 and opens the normally closed relay contact lllllZCR in line 421. The circuit is now closed from line 4l@ through line 421. Starting with line 410, relay .contact 1102TD2 closed one second after the energization of `time delay lltlZTD in line 4135 and will remain closed for 11/2 seconds. Relay contact lltl'CR in line dll is now closed along with relay conl tact lltlSCR in line 4il3. Normally open relay contact lltlCR in line M5, normally closed relay contact lllldCR in line 4l7, normally open relay contact lllllCR in line 419 and normally open relay contact lllTiCR in the same line are also closed. Relay contact lllWiCR in line 4l@ is open, normally open relay contact llltlCR in line 411 remains open, normally closed relay Contact llltlQCR in line 4l3 is open, normally open relay contact lltlCR in line 415 remains open, normally closed relay contact lllllCR in line 417 opens and normally open relay contact 1112CR in line 4l@ closes, while normally closed relay contact lllZCR in line 42llL opens. This therefore completes the circuit to energize latch control relay lllllCRL in line 4M. When the latch control relay IlltlQCRL circuit is complete, an amber lamp, (not shown) located on a remote panel board is energized and so indicates the condition of the piston. In this particular instance the piston is indicated to be within limits of the predetermined gauge tolerance but .O08 to .O10 larger than the minimum permissible diameter.

When the latch control relay llllgCRL in the line 419 is energized, the normally open relay contact llllwCRL in line 35 is closed and solenoid S33 located in the scale mechanism is energized. This sets up the scale range for the piston now being gauged when it is moved to the scale station. The normally open relay .contacts :tiff/CRL in lines 429 and 52l are also closed when latch control relay MWCRL is energized. As relay contact llllCRL in line 42d is closed and relay contact lllltiZTDS closed, any previous setting of scale mechanism is unlatched. Time delay 1102TD3 opens 11/2 seconds after time delay lltlZTD has been energized and is open for a half second.

The normally open time delay relay contact M02TD2 in line 410, when closed 'holds the latch control relay illgCRL in line 419 energized. Before the latch control relay IMQCRL in line 419 is de-energized, the circuit through latch control relay 1121CRL in line 421A is completed and an amber indicating lamp on a remote panel (not shown) is energized. Energization of latch control relay 1121CRL in line 421A closes the normally open latch control relay contact 1121CRL in line 252 and opens the normally closed latch control relay contact 1121CRL in line 492. The relay timer contacts HZTDI, 1102TD2, 1102TD3 having timed out, now open in sequence of the reverse manner described. Relay contact 1102TD3 opens, then relay contact lltlZTDZ and relay contact 1102TD1, rie-energizing their respective circuits. Then relay contact 112TD4 is closed, latch control relay 1101CRL in line 492 is unlatched. This opens the normally open relay contact lltllCRL in line 25, de-energizing solenoid S23, and in turn closes the normally closed relay contacts llltIlCRL in lines 26 and 251. When this occurs, solenoid S24 in line 26 is energized and hydraulic control valve K is activated. This causes the hydraulic cylinder piston L to retract and in turn opens limit switch 1101LS in line 405. When the hydraulic cylinder piston L reaches the limit of its rearward travel, the gauge is retracted and the limit switch llZllS in line 250 closes. The opening of limit switch Mtl-11.8 in line 495 de-energzes multiflex timer lltlZTD in the same line.

if the piston gauged is either under or over size, control relay ll14CR in line 410 or control relay 112tlCR in line 421 will be energized. Energization of one of these control relays will close relay contact 1114CR in line S03 or relay contact 1126CR in line 501. Closing of these relay contacts will energize latch control relay 1127CRL or latch control relay HZSCRL, depending on the piston size, and one of two red indicating lamps on a remote panel (not shown) will be energized and will so indicate the piston to be undersize or oversize.

During this time, the circuit in line 238 is closed, and control relay MCR is energized. When this occurs, the part is merely shuttled to the next work station in accordance with the shuttle motions previously described.

While the shuttle is forward and out the piston resting on scale platform is weighed and with the neXt movement the shuttle is then positioned back up and out.

Scale Station After the piston which has been resting on the scale platform is weighed, and the shuttle bars positioned back out and down, the circuit in line 515 is closed and control relay IZMCR is energized. This closes relay contacts 1201CR in lines 516 and 517 and opens relay contact 1201CR in line 40S. If the weight compensator cylinder X is out of adjustment for the piston now located at the gauge station, either limit switch 1203LS or limit switch 1204LS in lines 517 or 520 will be closed and solenoids S27 or S28 in lines 29 or 30 will be energized. The compensator cylinder X will then operate to move the scale lights forward or back. When the proper position of the scale lights has been reached (the position being the point at which both limit switches 1203LS in line 517 and limit switch 1204LS in line 520 are open) the gauged piston is shuttled to the scale station.

The piston is shuttled to the scale station in the manner described previously. The piston is engaged on the second shuttle movement, when the shuttle bars move in.

During the shuttle cycle and when hydraulic valve O is activated, hydraulic cylinder piston G moves the shuttle bars out, releasing the gauged piston on the scale platform. With the shuttle forward, down and out, and relays 2CR, 4CR and SCR energized and the respective relay contacts opened and closed, control relay MCR in line 248 is closed, energizing solenoid S44 in line 46, repositioning hydraulic Valve O. With the shuttle down control relay 13CR is de-energized with the opening of 9 relay contact ZCR in line 241, while line 526 is energized. Latch control relay l2ll5CRL is unlatched in line 524 and the scale settle cylinder piston J moves down, allowing the last gauged piston to be weighed.

As the settle cylinder piston I moves down, limit switch 1202LS is closed and control relay IZIlWCR in line 52,8 is energized. Limit switch IZtBlLS in line 527 is opened and control relay llZtBtSCR is de-energized. When control relay 12ll7CR in line 528 is energized, relay contacts 1207CR in lines 522, 524 and 534 closed and relay contacts 1207CR in lines 526 and 527 open. When the circuit in line 52'7 is broken and control relay llZeCR deenergized, relay contact lztCR in line 528 closes and relay contact 1206CR in line 25@ opens.

As relay contact IZMCR in line 522 is closed and the compensator cylinder X properly adjusted, control relay 1204CR in line 522 is energized, energizing control relay 1212CR (line 535A) through lines 533 and 534. The control relay IZlZCR contacts in lines 515 and 6155 open while relay contact llZlZCR in line Sli-5 closes to energize the light source for the photo-electric cells. The (2) relay contacts ilZlZCR in line 535 are then closed. The first control relay contact lZllZCR is a holding contact around line 534, While the second control relay contact 1212CR energizes the time delay lZllllTD timer. The instantaneous closing of contact 1211TD in line 533 closes to unlatch control relays 1209CRL and IZlttCRL. When the scale platform has properly settled after deposition the gauged piston, the time delay contact on the timer lZlllTD opens in line 533 and closes in line 531. If the piston is within the required weight range, both light sources for the the photo-electric cells will be exposed, energizing photo-electric cells PHR-l and PHR-Z. This in turn energizes latch control relay 1209CRL and latch control relay llZlllCRL. The circuit in line 529 is closed and the time delay relay llZTD then energizes the scale operation record latch control relay 1213CRL in line 536.

When latch control relay lZlSCRL in line 536 is energized, relay contacts 12ll3CRL in lines i109, 252, 524 close, while relay contacts llZlSCRL in lines 533, 526 and 605 open. This of course de-energizes line 533 and energizes latch control relay lZCRL in line 525 to energize solenoid S25, to bring the settle cylinder piston I up to engage the bottom of the scale platform. `In so doing, the time element is reduced to a minimum. Next the circuit in line 244 is closed and control relay MCR is energized which in turn energizes solenoid S42 in line 44. Limit switch MdSLS in line 27S opens, deenergizing control relay tCR as hydraulic cylinder piston F moves up, and upon reaching its maximum upward travel, limit switch 1406LS in line 277 is closed and control relay 3CR is energized. This sends the shuttle hars up to the original starting position of forward, up and out.

If the piston gauged is either dimensionally undersize or oversize, latch control relay HMCRL in line llltl or control relay llliZtlCR in line 421 will be energized and the scale operation will not occur on this piston. Energization of control relay 1114CR will close relay contact 1ll4CR in line 503, while energization of control relay llZlCR in line 421 will close relay contact ll2tlCR in line Stil. Closing of these relay contacts will energize latch control relay lll27CRL in line 501 or latch control relay llZCRL in line 503, depending on the piston size. This in turn will energize one of two red indicating lamps on a remote panel (not shown) and so indicate the piston to be a reject which is either undersize or oversize. After these circuits have been activated the last gauged piston is then shuttled to the scale station and latch control llZSCRL is energized. This opens the normally closed relay contacts llllZSCRL in lines 561 and 503 while closing the normally open relay contacts 1125CRL in lines 505, 602 and 607. Control relay llllBZCR in line Slt] is energized and relay contact 1ll32CR in line 509 is closed while relay contact tlFtZCR in line 533 opens. This in l@ turn prevents unlatching of latch control relay ll2l3CRL in line 536 since the circuit in line 533 is broken, and when the scale circuit is broken the scale operation cycle is omitted. This occurs only when the piston diameter is outside the permissible limits. The piston is then shuttled to the selector station and rejected. A second shuttle record is made when latch control relay llllZeCRL in line 431 is energized. Energization ot latch control llllZeCRL in line @3l opens relay contact lllZtiCRL in line 427, while it closes relay contacts llieCRL in lines 129, 5tlg, etti and ello and in turn unlatches latch control relays llZeCRL and llllZFfCRL.

lf the piston is diinensionally oversize, control relay ltllCR in line ddd will he energized and relay contact llittCi in line 36 will be closed, while relay contact lStlCR in line and will be opened. The closing of relay contact ltCR in line 36 energizes solenoid 53d, which in turn activates hydraulic valve V to reject the piston. This is accomplished through the control action ol? hydraulic cylinder piston l), by the action of hydraulic valve V.

lf the piston is dimensionally undersize, control relay lstlZCR in line 6:95 will he energized and relay contact ElStlZCR in line T37 will be closed, while relay contacts ILSZCR in line 4h55 and otlt will be opened. As relay contact lBdZCR in line 37 is closed, solenoid in line 37 is energized. When hydraulic valve R is activated, hydraulic cylinder piston T rejects the part.

lf the piston is dimensionally within the gauged size limits, but either underweight or overweight, the piston when weighed will bolck one of the two photo-electric cells. An overweight piston will block photo-electric cell PHE-2 while exposing photoelectric cell PER-l to the light source thus energizing the photo-electric cell PHR- which in turn energizes the overweight latch control relay lZllQCRL in line 53E.. An underweight piston will block photo-electric cell PER-ll while exposing photoelectric cell PHE-2 4to the light source thus energizing the photo-electric cell PHR-2 which in turn energizes the underweight latch control relay lZlt'iCRL in the line 32. When latch control relay ZWCRL is energized, relay contacts lEtWCRL in lines ldla and 95 are opened while relay contacts llZtlCRL in lines 529, 53d and 684 are closed. This closes the circuit for the photo-electric cell PHR-l.

When latch control relay il `CRL is energized and the photo-electric cell PHE-Ze', circuit is closed, relay contacts lZEilCRL in lines litt and open, while relay contacts llZltBCRL in lines 53MB, 53d and 6% close.

Selector Station The piston is then shuttled to the selector station in the same manner as previously described and control relay lSlCR in line 603, or control relay .ltilCR in line otl will be energized. Should control relay in line ed?, be energized, relay contacts lnlllCR in line 3o will he closed and solenoid S34- will be energized. When solenoid S34- is energized hydraulic valve V is activated and causes hydraulic valve P to move forward, thus ejecting the overweight part from the selector. if control relay lllZCR in line @d5 be energized, relay contact lStPECR in line 37 will be closed and solenoid S35 energized. When solenoid 55e is energized, hydraulic control valve R is activated and hydraulic cylinder' piston T moves forward to eject thet underweight part in the opposite direction. When the ejector arm closes and the forward limit switch lll'tlZLS in line 575, control relay lttlSCR is energized and relay contacts llEStlSCR in lines 5&2, and 533 are closed and either latch control relay lZtiQCRL in line 53a' or latch control relay lflltCRL in line 532 will be unlatched and their respective circuits cle-energized.

U nlorrder Station When the shuttle bars are again activated, the gauged and weighed piston is positioned at the unload station.

With the shuttle bars positioned up and out the circuit in line di@ is closed and control relay llltllCR is energized. When control relay lflBlCR is energized, relay contact lltttlCR in line .3S is closed and solenoid S36 energized. Relay contact in line 39 then opens. As the unloader moves in, limit switch ll-MLS in line die opens de-energizing control relay l-:tltCR to break relay contact 14tl4CR in line 25d, while closing relay contact MEMCR in line old. This closes the circuit to lines @l2 and 6M to energize the amber unloader record lamp, located on a remote panel (not shown). The circuit is then complete in line did, since energization of latch control relay lll-@SCRL closes relay contacts l-/itiSCRL in lines 252 and da, and opens relay contact lltlICRL on line 61th. When the unloader returns, solenoid S37 in line 39 is energized and relay contacts ldllZCR in line 251i close, and relay contact ld'aZClin line ulti opens thereby rie-energizing solenoid S36. As the unloader reaches the limit of outward travel limit switch llftZLS in line 6l@ is again closed and control relay llritlriCR energized. This opens relay contact ldlldCR in line 614 and closes relay contact lf2-MCR in line 25h.

Although the automatic cycle has been discussed quite thoroughly, it is possible to activate the Work cycle by hand. To operate the machine, through a complete cycle by hand, pushbutton PBM; in line il@ is depressed. This reaks the circuit in line llt? and de-energizes control relay llltCR, opening the normally open relay contacts tltlCR in lines 111, 238, 2do, 242, 24d, 24a, 248, 403, 465, 524, 52d, al@ and @i3 while closing the normally closed relay contacts ltltCR in lines 237, Zal, 243, 245, 247, dill, 523, 525, and ow. rl`hus, in order to operate the shuttle and bring it to the back position by the energization of control relay MCR, it will be necessary to press pushbutton PBQA in line 237 since the circuit is broken at the normally open relay contact ldtCR in line 238. When it is desired to bring the shuttle down, pusnbutton PB25 in line 239 must be pressed since the circuit is broken in line 2d@ at relay contact ltltlCR. rl`his will energize the control relay MCR. To move the shuttle in, pushbutton FB2@ is depressed to complete the circuit in line 242 to enerzige control relay MCR. ln order to bring the shuttle up pushbutton P327 in line 243 is depressed and the circuit is complete through line 24d to energize control relay MCR. To move the shuttle forward pushbutton 9R28 in line is depressed and the circuit is complete through control relay CR. To move the shuttle down, pushbutton P3325 in line 239 is closed which will energize control relay MCR. Next, to bring the shuttle out, pushbutton PE2@ in line 21%? is closed which will energize control relay MCR. To bring the shuttle up, pushbutton FB2@ in line 247 is closed and the circuit is complete to line 243 to energize control relay leCR.

To move the gauge in, pushbutton PBM; in line lill is depressed and the circuit is complete through line itil to line dit?, andthe latch control relay llltBlCRL in line dit?, is energized to send the gauge in. When it is desired to bring the gauge out, pushbutton P343 in line @2A is depressed and the circuit is complete through line @d3 to unlatch control relay llllCRL and bring the gauge out. With the gauge forward, the limit switch lltliLS in line ldd closed, the circuit is complete to energize the multiflex timer lll2TD in line lil since pushbutton P344 in line litri is closed.

When it is desired to move the settle cylinder piston l down, pushbutton 9R46 in line 525 is closed and the circuit is complete in line 52d to unlatch latch control relay 12il5CRL in line 524 and move cylinder piston l down. To move settle cylinder piston l up, pushbutton PBrtS in line A52C is depressed and the circuit in line 524 is closed to energize latch control relay lZSCRL in the same line and bring the cylinder up.

When it is desirable to check the photo-electric cell light source, P1249 is depressed to Close contact 97PHCR in line 544. P347 is then energized to light lights L1 and L2 which allows the scale platform to be moved manually so as to check the over and under weight limits. If the lights in line 540 and 541 go on and oft as the scale platform is moved up and down, the indication would be that the photocell units IPHR and 2PHR below line 545 are in working condition. To extinguish the lights after testing, pushbutton PB48 is closed breaking the circuit in line 542. Control relay 97PHCR will be de-energized at this time and normally open contacts 97PHCR on lines 543 and S44 will open.

The selector station will operate automatically although the unloader station must be activated by hand. The unloader is actuated by depressing pushbutton PBS() in line 509 which will close the circuit in line 510 and energize control relay 1401CR and de-energize control relay 1402CR in line 612. The remaining portion of the cycle is carried out in the same manner as is the automatic cycle previously described.

Referring to FIGS. 8 through 17 of the drawings, the mechanism comprises a base member 200 on which is mounted a movable shuttle mechanism, an air gauge mechanism and scales. The scales have aiixed thereto, a compensator mechanism which works in conjunction therewith, to adjust the scale range for the piston being weighed. The piston or other workpiece is successively advanced or indexed by the shuttle mechanism to the various work stations spaced along the length of the machine, the several operations being synchronized by the electrical and mechanical control system previously described and illustrated in FIGURES l through 7. The shuttle mechanism comprises a pair of parallel, transversely spaced horizontal rails or shuttle bars B2b and B22, which may he positioned as shown in dotted lines on FIGURE 11, the DO position being down and out, the DI position being down and in, the UI position being up and in, while UO position is up and out.

A number of grippers, or work engaging members are positioned longitudinally along the rails in spaced relationship, corresponding to the work stations. Each gripper is comprised of two pair of spaced nylon fingers which engage the piston tangentially upon inward movement of the shuttle bars. As would be expected, the grippers are in pairs and so positioned as to be opposite each other and will engage the piston securely.

The lingers of the grippers may be made of any suitable wear-resistant and non-abrasive material that will provide a good iirm frictional grip, without damaging the piston or other workpiece.

When the sequence of the shuttle bars reaches the forward, up and out position, as described in the drawings (FIGURES 1-7), the air gauge assembly illustrated in FIGURES 8 and 9, is activated, and moves in to gauge the piston or other workpiece. When the gauge on shaft L reaches the limit of inward travel, limit switch 1101LS is closed by the adjustable stop 201, which is secured to the ag member 262.

On the return of hydraulic cylinder piston L, limit switch llllZLS on the opposite end of the mounting pad is closed by the adjustable stop 203, carried on flag 202. The limit switches lltllLS and 1102LS are mounted on the gauge base member 204, with the gauge base secured to the machine base 200. The gauge proper is horizontally mounted and is of generally U shape. A permanent anvil 206 is secured to one face of the U shape, while adjacent thereto is mounted a movable, spring loaded pivotal linger member 208, which acts to align the piston or other workpiece and limit the ow of air through line 209, so as to settle the air gauge before a gauge reading is made. Adjustable stops 2012A and 203B (FIGURE 8) are provided to limit the travel of the finger 208. After the air gauge has had adequate time to settle, the pivotal finger member 208 continues to hold open air line 209, so as to activate a series of three commercially produced air gauges. Each air gauge has a diaphragm and bellows, along with a normally 

5. IN A DEVICE FOR COORDINATING MEASURING OPERATIONS RELATIVE TO A CYLINDRICAL WORKPIECE, THE COMBINATION OF A SHUTTLE MEANS MOVABLY MOUNTED ON A MACHINE FRAME AND ADAPTED TO EXTEND LONGITUDINALLY ALONG A ROW OF WORK STATIONS; GRIPPING MEANS ON SAID SHUTTLE MEANS AT EACH OF THE SEVERAL WORK STATIONS; SHUTTLE ACTUATING MEANS; A FIRST CONTROL MEANS FOR SAID SHUTTLE ACTUATING MEANS; SAID SHUTTLE ACTUATING MEANS AND SAID FIRST CONTROL MEANS COOPERABLE TO ADVANCE THE WORKPIECE FROM A GAUGE STATION TO A SCALE WEIGHING STATION; AN ADJUSTABLE SCALE COMPENSATOR AFFIXED TO SAID SCALE; THE SCALE COMPENSATOR PROGRAM BEING ESTABLISHED AT THE GAUGE STATION; CONTROL MEANS FOR ACTUATING SAID SCALE COMPENSATOR LOCATED AT SAID GAUGE STATION WHICH ACTUATES MECHANICAL MEANS TO MOVE ONE OF A PLURALITY OF PIVOTAL LINKAGES IN THE SCALE COMPENSATOR; A PLURALITY OF SLIDABLY MOUNTED STOP PLATES IN SAID COMPENSATOR; MOVEMENT OF ONE OF SAID PIVOTAL LINKAGES CAUSES MOVEMENT OF A STOP PLATE WHICH IS SLIDABLY MOUNTED IN A GUIDE BLOCK; SAID STOP PLATE AND SAID PIVOTAL LINKAGE PIVOTALLY JOINED; SAID STOP PLATE ACTUATES MECHANICAL MEANS TO ADJUST POSITION OF SAID SLIDABLY MOUNTED CARRIAGE IN THE SCALE COMPENSATOR; AN ADJUSTABLE LINKAGE CONNECTING SAID SCALE COMPENSATOR CARRIAGE TO A PIVOTAL ARM EXTENDING FROM SAID SCALES; SAID SCALE LINKAGE ARM CARRIES A SECOND ARM SECURED TO A FIXED PIVOT BEARING IN THE SCALE HOUSING; A PAIR OF LIGHTS IN SPACED RELATIONSHIP ON SAID SECOND ARM; SAID LIGHTS POSITIONED TO BE FOCUSED ON A PAIR OF PHOTO ELECTRIC CELLS; AND MEANS LOCATED IN SAID SCALE MECHANISM TO ACTUATE SAID PHOTO ELECTRIC CELLS, SHOULD THE WORKPIECE BE UNDERSIZE OR OVERSIZE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GAUGED DIAMETER. 